This past week, Madison High School had its first dog drug search. Parents and students had been warned that this would be happening randomly during the school day. The students and teachers were instructed to have a lockdown with instruction meaning that students and teachers were unable to leave their classroom. During this first search there were no substances found in students lockers.

There has been a question of whether a specific event at the high school has caused these random canine searches. MHS’ principal Greg Robertson commented that the searches are “designed to keep students safe and to help maintain the type of learning culture that makes Madison High School such a great school.” Principal Robertson has also encouraged students to reach out to them with their questions and concerns. In addition, Principal Robertson included that another change he made was to include “rehabilitative family counseling component added to the policy that addresses situations where a student is found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol in school.”

Elizabeth Bradford, a senior at Madison High School, said that “I believe the dog searches are a good idea. It is helpful to enforce the drug and alcohol rules at MHS.” Whether or not the students of MHS like the idea of search dogs in the school, the will be happening at random throughout the school year.

On the topic of dogs visiting MHS, students have been to attempt to bring therapy dogs to the school during exam time. Maybe with the new drug search policy, Principal Robertson will be more lenient about bringing dogs in to serve students.